Deligent and Honest: Empress Shunlie of the Han Dynasty

Empress Liang Na (116-150), formally known as Empress Shunlie (literally "the kind and accomplished empress"), was an empress during the Han Dynasty. Her husband was Emperor Shun. She later acted as regent for his son Emperor Chong, and the two subsequent emperors selected from collateral lines, Emperor Zhi and Emperor Huan.

As empress dowager and regent, she appeared to be diligent and honest, but she trusted her violent and corrupt brother Liang Ji. After Empress Dowager Liang's death, the Liang clan was destroyed.

Liang Na was born in 116 AD. Her father was Liang Shang, the Marquess of Chengshi, who was also related to Consort Liang, the mother of Emperor He. Liang Na was said to be diligent in doing needlework as well as in studying history and the Confucian classics as a young girl.

In 128, when Liang Na was 12, she was selected to be Emperor Shun's imperial consort and became his favorite. In 132, Emperor Shun made her empress, believing Liang was the most virtuous consort.

As empress, Empress Liang showed considerable humility, and restrained from interfering with her husband's court. Because of her, Emperor Shun trusted her relatives, promoting her father quicky to be Grand Marshall. Empress Liang's brothers also became high-raking officials.

In 144, as Emperor Shun was growing ill, he made Liu Bing, his only son and a toddler, crown prince. Emperor Shun died four months later. Empress Liang became empress dowager and served as regent.

Empress Dowager Liang appeared to be diligent in governing the empire, and she trusted officials with integrity to advise her on important affairs. However, she also trusted her brother Liang Ji who used her position to further consolidate his own power. 

In 145, the young Emperor Chong died. Liang Ji convinced Empress Dowager Liang to make the seven-year-old Liu Zuan Emperor Zhi so that he could easily control him. Empress Dowager Liang, on the other hand, continued to serve as regent.

In 146, Liang Ji poisoned the young emperor to death because the latter offended him by openly calling him "an arrogant general". Liang Ji persuaded Empress Dowager Liang to make another 14-year-old Emperor Huan. Empress Dowager Liang continued to serve as regent. In 147, Emperor Huan married Empress Dowager Liang's sister and made her empress.

In 150, Empress Dowager Liang announced that she was stepping down as regent and returning imperial power to Emperor Huan. She died later that year and was buried with her husband Emperor Shun. However, her brother remained in power and became more violent and corrupt. Emperor Huan finally reacted and overthrow Liang Ji in 159. The Liang clan was subsequently slaughtered.